Braves News:
The day after the Jason Heyward trade brought plenty of reaction and analysis from around the league, but first we have more free agent rumblings involving Atlanta and one of the top pitchers on the market.
Braves add to the intrigue by scheduling a meeting with Lester
MLB.com's Mark Bowman writes that talking to Lester might be just a cursory move but the Heyward trade combined with a potential Justin Upton deal, could afford Atlanta enough salary relief to make a fair offer to Lester.
By trading Jason Heyward and Jordan Walden to the Cardinals on Monday, the Braves improved their rotation with the addition of Shelby Miller and also took approximately $11 million off a payroll that is expected to rest around $110 million again this year. To get in position to afford Lester, who is expected to gain a $20 million-plus salary, Atlanta would likely have to trade Justin Upton, who is owed $14.5 million before becoming a free agent next year.
David O'Brien points out that a long standing mutual interest by the Braves and Lester combined with the close proximity to Lester's home is the reason the two sides will explore a deal.
They still wouldn't seem to have enough room in their payroll to add more than $20 million annually for another pitcher, but if Lester were willing to take slightly less to live at home all year, and/or the Braves worked out a backloaded deal coinciding with the move to their new ballpark in 2017 and the increased revenue streams they expect to come with that move, then perhaps Atlanta could become serious bidders for Lester and Thursday's meeting might be more than just a courtesy or due diligence on the Braves' part.
What do the Atlanta Braves do now?
The Jon Lester rumors lead SB Nation's Grant Brisbee to ask, what exactly are the Braves doing?
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